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Caspases

Caspases

Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside cells.

Apoptosis

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...

Nucleotide Excision Repair

Nucleotide Excision Repair

DNA Distortion and Damage
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...

Nucleotide Excision Repair

Nucleotide Excision Repair

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis

Published on: February 16, 2015

Endonucleases and apoptosis in animals.

N I Aleksandrushkina¹, B F Vanyushin

¹Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia.

Biochemistry. Biokhimiia

|February 6, 2013

Summary

Endonucleases are crucial for programmed cell death (apoptosis) by degrading DNA. Understanding their regulation is vital for controlling cell death, development, and preventing diseases.

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Cell Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Endonucleases are key enzymes responsible for DNA degradation during apoptosis.
Apoptosis involves sequential DNA fragmentation, from large domains to oligonucleotides.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the structure and function of endonucleases in apoptosis.
To understand the regulatory mechanisms of endonucleases and their effectors.

Main Methods:

Analysis of endonuclease activity and specificity during apoptosis.
Investigation of regulatory mechanisms involving metal ions and other effectors.

Main Results:

Endonucleases initiate apoptosis by cleaving chromatin into large domains, followed by internucleosomal fragmentation.

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Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis

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Published on: February 16, 2015

In Vivo Biosensor Tracks Non-apoptotic Caspase Activity in Drosophila

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Published on: November 27, 2016

Analysis of Apoptosis in Zebrafish Embryos by Whole-mount Immunofluorescence to Detect Activated Caspase 3

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Published on: December 20, 2013

Enzyme activity is modulated by specific regulatory mechanisms, including metal ions and S-adenosylmethionine.

Conclusions:

Endonucleases are indispensable for apoptosis; their absence leads to DNA accumulation and developmental disorders.
Understanding endonuclease function and regulation is critical for controlling programmed cell death and related diseases.